Raking machine



Nov. 17, 1925.

A. WOLFF RAKING MACHINE Original Filed Nov. '7, 1919 NS nu;

4R AM.

direction in which the machine is to travel. 1n either of the extreme positions, the positions of the plows are fixed by .spring pressed bolts 62 and 63, slidably mounted in brackets 64 and 65, secured to the beam 14, and provided with upwardly extending handles 66 and 67 by meansl of which they may be retracted, the said bolts engaging sockets 68 and 69 in the periphery of the plate 57 Additional sockets 68 and 69a are providedA in the plate 57 to enable the positioning of the plows at different degrees of elevation and inclination. The shaft 46 is driven from the shaft 41 by means of chain 70 extending over sprocket gears 71 and 72 respectively provided on the said shafts, and thereby through the bevelled gear and pinions, the plows are rotated. By moving the handle 61 to an intermediate position, both plows will be raised from the ground, the bolts 62 and 63 entering beneath the ends of the plate 57 and supporting the plows in a raised position.

The plows comprise two curved and flared blades 73 and 74 pointed at their ends as at 75, and arranged with their concave sides toward each other to form a tube. In operation the pointed ends cut into the ground with a scooping, drilling action, which effectually turns and breaks up the ground.

Alt each side of the plows and toward the ends of the frame, there are jonrnalled in bearings 76 mounted upon the beams 10, 11, 12 and 13, transverse shafts 77 and 7S, projecting beyond the frame at the plow side thereof, and supporting the raking apparatus A and B respectively. These raking apparatus are similar in form, but opposed in relation, and are adapted to operate behind the plows, one being in operation, while the other is out of operation. They each comprise an inclined frame having a pair of parallel sides 79 and 80, connected by intermediate hracing pieces 81, the upwardly extending apertured ends engaging the respective shafts 77 and 78, sprocket gears 82 and 83 being secured to the said shafts within the frame, while the downwardly projecting apertured ends support a shaft 84, having sprocket gears 85 and 86 mounted thereon, and engaging at its inwardly projecting end the arcuate slot 87 of a plate 88 secured to the beam 14. Endless chains 89 and 90 extend over the sprocket gears and support a series of cross-bars 91 upon which are mounted conveyer buckets 92, provided at their open ends with projecting rake teeth 93, and adapted as they engage the ground to gather up rocks, brush, and the like, extending above the ground. The frames of the raking apparatus are connected by rods 94 and 95, provided at their ends with flexible portions 94a and 95", to the periphery of a drum 96, mounted in a bracket 97 supported on the beam 10, the said drum being provided with a lever handle 98 by which it may be turned and through its connections with the raking apparatus, raise either of them, while the other is lowered, so .that the apparatus to be operated is engaged with the ground, while the other is raised therefrom. The handle 98 is secured in position by means of a hook 99, engaging one of the other of two eyelets 100 and 101 provided on the base of the bracket 97. By moving the handle to an intermediate position, both of the raking apparatus will be raised from the ground.

The shafts 77 and 78 are individually driven from the drive shaft 41 by countersha-fts 102 and 103 journalled .in the beams 12 and 13, and provided with sprocket gears 104 and 105 connected by chains 106 and 107 to sprocket gears 77"L and 7S on the shafts 77 and 78. Gears 108 and 109 on the countershafts 102 and 103 are adapted to be individually meshed with a shifting gear 110, keyed to the shaft -1-1 and adapted to be shifted by means of a lever 111 pivotally mounted upon the under side of the fioor and engaging` the annular groove 112 in the hub of the gear 110. As illustrated, the machine is arranged to move in the direction of the arrow, the raking apparatus B is lowered and driven` while the raking apparatus A is raised and stationary. The material picked up by the raking` apparatus B is deposited in a receptacle 113 transversely supported upon the beams 14, the material first falling upon an inclined chute 114, which carries it to the receptacle; and similarly, the material picked up by the raking apparatus A is deposited in a receptacle 115, disposed longitudinally, however, between the beams 11 and 12, an inclined chute 115, carrying the material to the receptacle.

In the illustration, the machine moving in the direction of the arrow, the plow 53 and the raking apparatus B, are in operation, performing the successive functions of plowing and raking rocks, brush, and other dbris projecting above the ground. lhen the machine reaches the end of its travel in one direction, the same is shifted so that the plow will engage the unbroken ground contiguous to the previously broken ground, and the plow 54 is placed in operative position together with the raking apparat-us B, whereupon by driving the machine in the reverse direction, these parts of the machine function in a similar manner to the corresponding parts above referred to. In either direction of movement of the machine, the driver may observe the action of the plow through the frame at the one side of the platform 35, so that he may accurately determine the direction to drive the machine. By disconnecting the driving chains of any of the various imple-ments, namely, in plow or raking` apparatus, one or more of the implements may be made operative or inoperative, so that the machine may be operated as a plow only, or as a raking appa ratus, or in combination, depending upon the particular requirements. The machine, it will be understood, may be used for eX- avating, trenchdigging and the like.

I have illustrated and described a preferred and satisfactory embodiment of my invention, but it is obvious that changes may be made therein within the spirit and scope thereof, as defined in the appended claims.

That is claimed is:

l. In an agricultural machine, a frame, propulsion means therefor, a plow on said frame adapted to be adjusted into fixed relation to the frame and extend in the direction of progressive movement thereof, and raking means carried by said frame at both sides of said plow, said raking means being adjustable toward and from the ground whereby to throw the one or the other raking means into operation cooperating with the position of the plow and adapted to operate upon the soil in rear of the plow, and conveying means associated and operating with said raking means for removing foreign matter from the soil sifted ont by said raking means.

2. In an agricultural machine, a frame, propulsion means therefor adapted to propel the vehicle in either forward or reverse directions, a plurality of plow means on the frame adapted to be adjusted in opposite directions into contact with the ground in accordance with the direction of progressive movement of the machine, a pair of raking devices mounted on the frame at opposite sides of said plow means and sup* ported on the frame for adjustable movement into and out of operative relation with the ground, intermediate means on the frame for alternately raising and lowering said raking means in conformity with the disposition of said pair of plow means whereby the raking means in rear of the operative plow is adjusted into operative relation with the soil, and conveying means associated with said raking means and operating in conjunction therewith to remove foreign material turned up by said raking means.

3. In an agricultural machine, a frame, plow means centrally of the 4frame adapted to be swung down in opposite directions in accordance with the direction of movement of the frame, an endless conveyor at each end of said frame, said conveyor having buckets thereon with projecting lower portio-n providing rake teeth, and means to alternately raise and lower saidconveyors in accordance with the position of said plow and the direction of movement of the vehicle.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing my invention, I have signed myname.

AUGUOT IVOLFF. 

